Rumor: KC Current Linked to Brazilian Forward

[Update 9:17 PM – Our own Thad Bell says this is close and TWO more signings are on the way.]

Sounds like this is really close now and two more on the way as well. An NWSL veteran and another international. #NWSL #KCBaby https://t.co/RvvwwDbM8N

— Thad (@TheBackpost) January 18, 2024

As if one piece of Kansas City Current news wasn’t enough (the Kizer/Prince trade), another rumor immediately came out. According to Globo, the Current are linked to signing Brazilian forward Beatriz Zaneratto João, or Bia.

Per @geglobo, Palmeiras forward Bia Zaneratto has signed for the Kansas City Current.

Bia x Debinha link-up soon 💃🏽🇧🇷 pic.twitter.com/NZnLhYRqJX

— Women’s Transfer News (@womenstransfer) January 17, 2024

The 30-year-old forward most recently has spent the last four seasons in Brazil playing for Palmeiras. According to FBref, she has scored 31 goals in 43 matches played (40 starts). Prior to coming to her native Brazil, she played in China for Wuhan Jiangham University (a professional team, despite the name) and in South Korea for Hyundai Steel Red Angels. For the Red Angles she had 103 appearances and another 78 goals.

She’s also a consistent member of the Brazilian national team having played in the last four Women’s World Cups (2011 through 2023). She made her senior national team debut in 2011 and has scored 38 times for her nation across 111 games. Before the senior team, she played in the U-17 World Cup at just 14 years of age and was the youngest player on her team.

If Bia were to sign, she would join fellow Brazilian national team members Debinha and Lauren on the KC Current.

What it Means for the Current?

We don’t know if there is smoke with this fire, but several others are Twitter are saying this move is happening. If so, Vlatko is completely rebuilding a KC Current team that looked good on paper but finished 11th out of 12 teams in 2023.

Since arriving in Kansas City, Vlatko (or Camille Ashton) have declined options on Croix Soto, Rylan Childers and Jenna Winebrenner. He’s traded away Kate Del Fava, Alex Loera, Morgan Gautrat and Cece Kizer. The club mutually agreed to part ways with Chardonnay Curran and Desiree Scott, Mallory Weber, Sam Mewis, Cassie Miller and Addisyn Merrick are all free agents.

It sounds like Desi is on the verge of returning, Miller’s rights may have been traded and Merrick has already signed in Utah. Weber was rehabbing a second straight season ending injury and Mewis still has an unknown health situation.

As far as additions, the team had added three forwards (officially, not counting Bia) in Alex Pfeiffer, Temwa Chawinga and Nichelle Price. Three draft picks (a right back and two goalkeepers). And one midfielder, in 18-year-old Claire Hutton, who the team described as a likely first round draft pick had she not signed ahead of the draft.

The team is still thin in the midfield, but more moves sound likely based on the recent Keeping Current podcast with our own Thad Bell and the KC Star’s Daniel Sperry. What formation this team is going to play and which of these eight (potentially nine) forwards are going to start is yet to be determined.

The KC Soccer Journal will have more on the Bia rumors, and all things KC Current, when it’s available.